Posts Tagged ‘traffic fines’

The Victorian government is banking on a $1.5 billion traffic fines bonanza to top up its bottom line by the 2009-10 financial year, a secret report shows.

The cabinet report, revealed in the Herald Sun, shows the government plans to collect $1.3 billion through Victoria’s 2000-plus speed cameras and $200 million in on-the-spot fines by 2009-10.

The assessment, prepared by VicRoads, does not count the expected $125 million-a-year windfall from the EastLink toll road, which has not yet opened.

Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu said the document was showed the government is addicted to traffic fines.

“The forecast revenue in this document is more than five times the promised tax relief in this week’s state budget, showing John Brumby is more interested in gouging drivers with fines than lifting the tax burden on Victorians,” he said.

Forecasts for traffic camera revenue for the next four years were not released in the budget, but released a total fine figure for next financial year of $500 million, the Herald Sun said.

The government on Thursday refused to release the latest forecasts for the next four financial years.

A government spokesman said all speed camera fines went to the Better Roads Victoria Trust.

“It is our hope camera fines decrease due to people slowing down, which could save Victoria part of the estimated $3.5 billion a year road trauma costs,” the spokesman said.